International Entry Requirements
SAE aims to ensure that all students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic studies and to easily integrate into the institution’s friendly community.To check the equivalence of international qualifications to the UK framework, you can email your query to our Admissions Team. SAE Institute uses the expertise of our Admissions Team as well as services of ENIC to provide such advice.



International Entry Requirements at SAE
SAE aims to ensure that all students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic studies and to easily integrate into the institution’s friendly community.
International students must demonstrate that their qualifications are equivalent to the standard entry requirement of 72 UCAS tariff points, as well as competency in English. For degree courses in Audio Production and Games Programming, an equivalent qualification to GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above is also required.
English Language Requirements
All students are required to show proficiency in English. We recommend getting in touch with our team for advice and to confirm what evidence is accepted.
If English is not your first language, do not worry, all you need to provide evidence that you meet the appropriate level of English proficiency for your level of study.
Requirements vary depending on the level of study you are applying for (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate) and whether you require a student visa. If you require a student visa, please refer to the acceptable test information below.
Equivalent qualifications can be accepted, where these qualifications have been verified by ENIC and are adopted widely within the UK Higher Education sector.
If your qualification does not meet these requirements, we’ll ask for one of the following:
- IELTS (UKVI or Academic) – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5
- IELTS One Skill Retake – minimum score of 5.5 in skill retake
- IELTS Online – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5
- Pearson Test of English – 59 or above overall with a minimum of 59 in each component
- PSI Skills for English B2 SELT – Pass
- Trinity College London SELT– Pass with Merit
- Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade C
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade B
- TOEFL (IBT or IBT Home Edition online) – 72 overall with no less than Listening – 17 Writing – 17 Speaking – 20 Reading – 18
- LanguageCert Academic – 60 pass with minimum score of 60 in each skill
- LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert – pass in all four components
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) – Pass with a minimum 33 in all components
- LanguageCert ESOL Integrated Skills in English II – pass in all components
- Duolingo English Test – Overall score of 100 with no less than 95 in Speaking, Writing and Listening. Minimum 100 in Reading.
SAE accepts various high school level English Qualification, please contact our Admissions team at ukenquiries@sae.edu to discuss this.
English language tests are valid for a maximum of two years.
EXEMPTIONS FROM LANGUAGE TESTING
You do not need to take an English test if you fall into one of these categories:
You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (as defined by UKVI) and have completed full secondary-level education in one of these countries: Majority English Speaking Countries
You may not require a test if you hold a qualification equivalent to a UK degree or higher where instruction was in English and your proposed course of study at SAE will be an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
You may not require a test if you have completed a GCSE, A-Level, Scottish National Qualification or Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher, in English Language/Literature in the UK, which you started when you were aged under 18.
CONFIRM WITH US BEFORE BOOKING YOUR TEST
Please contact our friendly Admissions team at ukenquiries@sae.edu if you need advice on whether you need a test or before booking your test to confirm that it will meet our requirements. We are able to accept a wider range of language evidence if you do not require a student visa.
